It was tough strapping on the shoes and hiking this morning after a few days of sandals and sitting on my bum, paddling along the river.
It didn’t take long though until I forgot about the pack on my back and for my stride to settle into my hiking pace (slow and steady!)
The days are still long with about 15 hours of daylight and it’s really pleasant to get going early in the day.
I can’t seem to get used to a NZ summer.
The sun is hot but the breeze is chilly and I’m still in thermals for sleeping.
I had thought to knock off this next section in one day but I’m a bit stiff after being on the river. Two days it is.
Heading off, I chose to climb the 355 steps to Dune Hill rather than take the Hill Elevator.
It’s a funny thing; I can knuckle down to climbing up hills, slow and steady gets it done and mostly, I pull up ok at the top.
Steps though, make me feel a bit stuffed.
There’s not much to report on for these two days. A fair bit of road walking with about 20k along the beach (doesn’t scare me after surviving 90 mile!) and a low tide crossing over the Turakina River.
I camped overnight at Koitaki. The camp grounds had coin operated hot showers. Bliss.
I was really happy to reach Bulls for the second night. What a quirky place. I set up camp at the Landwood Lodge which allows hikers to tent on the grounds for $10. I was tempted to just stay at the lodge but... I like my tent and I’m planning on splurging on comfort in Wellington.
Ahahaha. Bulls, New Zealand. Dad joke town!
Black sand at Turakina
Comments